Skye-based salmon farmer Organic Sea Harvest has announced it is having to suspend production and make staff redundant because of Scotland’s slow planning and regulatory system.
Established in 2017, with the vision of filling a gap in the organic salmon market, Organic Sea Harvest was the first new, independently owned and operated salmon farm created in Scotland for many years.
In a statement, the company said that despite its successes, the “challenging and slow pace of the planning and regulatory system in Scotland” has resulted in Organic Sea Harvest reaching the end of its financial resources.
“Consequently, a decision has been made to fallow both existing farms until refinancing can be agreed for the business, including for the development of a new farm near Balmaqueen,” it said.
“Sadly, the fallowing of our existing sites will result in redundancies in our workforce. Our immediate focus will be on helping our people through this difficult time and, where possible, supporting them in finding alternative employment.”
Organic Sea Harvest was granted planning permission for the third farm site at Balmaqueen in northeast Skye in August last year.
